Very fresh stains can often be removed by normal washing or by moistening the
stain with water and placing in the sun or before a radiator. If not successful, apply a
solution of 1 tsp. sodium thiosulphate, (from chemist) in 1cup warm water. Rinse well.

Rub some dishwash liquid into the stain, leave for 10-15 minutes, then hot wash
(60-65°C) using your normal laundry detergent. If any stain remains, repeat the process.
For unwashable fabrics or articles, see under Butter.

Try to find out from doctor or chemist what the medicine contains, as this will
aid in selecting the correct treatment: e.g. iron tonics - treat as for iron rust:
medicines containing alcohol, rinse with methylated spirits (wood alcohol), etc.

Treat as soon as discovered, before the mould has time to weaken the cloth.
Slight, fresh stains can often be removed by washing with your usual laundry product and
drying in the sun. Otherwise, try these methods in turn, proceeding carefully with
coloured articles:

a] Chlorinated laundry bleaches may be used for white untreated
cottons and linens, according to general instructions given by the manufacturer. Rinse
thoroughly before washing. b] Vinegar added to the final rinse will help remove any traces of
smell remaining from the bleach. c] A diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate is safe
on all white and coloured fabrics.

Scrape away as much as possible. For washable materials, rub lard or Vaseline
into stain or treat dry fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover). Wash in a
quality Laundry powder or Liquid. On unwashable materials, such stains are difficult.
Treat repeatedly with dry cleaning fluid, continuously changing the pad and the sponging
cloth. Finish with a sponging of lukewarm water and synthetic detergent, then warm water
to rinse. If contaminated with metal particles, an iron stain my remain. Treat as for Iron Rust.

Allow to dry, then brushing off. Any remaining stain may be removed by washing
or sponging with your usual laundry powder or liquid or if greasy dirt, pre-treat dry
fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) or use a grease solvent, e.g. dry
cleaning fluid.

Scrape any excess mustard from the fabric, ensuring you don't spread the stain
any further. Dry the mustard-stained area. Mix together 3 parts dishwash liquid with 1
part of a D'Limonene based product (read our notes on each product at this link). Soak the
stained area in this solution for 10-15 minutes. NOTE: On occasion the mustard stain will
turn very dark, but DON'T PANIC - it will wash out! After the soak time, rinse in water as
hot as is suitable for the fabric, then wash as usual, but preferrably with a Laundry Liquid.
This treatment may require repeating.

Apply acetone or amyl acetate (polish removers), but take care with synthetic
fibres, as both of these dissolve some type of rayons. Wash or sponge with your usual
laundry product after treatment.

Remove any remaining colour with a bleach, using a chlorinated laundry bleach
for white cottons and linens. A diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate for
colours, and hydrogen peroxide for wool and silks.

Modern paints vary greatly in composition and it is not possible to give one
treatment for all types. As a guide, use the solvent suggested on the paint tin label for
thinning paint and cleaning brushes. Treat promptly, as set stains are very difficult to
remove. If paint has dried, soften with glycerine before applying treatment.

For oil paint, enamels and alkyd type paints, scrape off as much as possible and
soak remaining stain in turpentine, or kerosene. Then wash in usual way.

Latex or plastic water-base paints, e.g. Acrylic and P.V.A. will wash out easily
with cold water when fresh. Remove any remaining stain with methylated spirits (wood
alcohol) (test first to see that acetate fabrics are not affected). Once dry, these paints
are virtually impossible to remove.

Wet area, apply glycerine and rinse out well, or sponge with equal parts of
full-strength hydrogen peroxide and water. If the colour has already been removed from the
fabric by the alcohol in the perfume, it may be helpful to add a few drops of methylated
spirits (wood alcohol) to cheesecloth pad and sponge fabric lightly, working towards the
centre of the stain, thus distributing remaining colour evenly.

New perspiration stains are normally acid and may be removed by washing. If the
dye is affected, hold the mark in fumes from an open ammonia bottle.

Older perspiration stains turn alkaline and sponging with 1 Tbsp. vinegar in ½
c water will often restore the colour. This treatment also helps to remove perspiration
odours.

To remove perspiration stains from unwashable garments or for any stubborn
marks, apply a paste of 1 Tbsp. cream of tartar, 3 crushed aspirins and warm water. Leave
for 20 minutes. Rinse well in warm water. Repeat if necessary. Follow this with vinegar
and water to restore the colour if necessary.

Cream of Tartar - for extensive staining, boil in a liquid made
from 4 tsp. cream of tartar in 600 ml water. Rinse well OR if less extensive, dampen
stain, spread with cream of tartar, hold in steam from boiling kettle. Rinse immediately
stain goes. Do not use on fabrics that cannot be washed in hot water.